By mapping interactions between human proteins and the new coronavirus, researchers have pinpointed 29 potential treatments using drugs already approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for a wide range of other conditions.
There is currently no vaccine or antiviral drug with proven efficacy against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, though several clinical trials are underway. Lack of in-depth knowledge about how the newly emerged virus interacts with human cells has hampered the hunt for an effective treatment. A study set for publication in the journal Nature marks a significant leap forward in our understanding of the interaction between the virus and its host.